THE Sokoto State Executive Council has approved contracts worth over N7.5 billion for vehicles, road rehabilitation and infrastructure projects across the state. News Point Nigeria reports that the approvals is N1.46 billion for the purchase of official vehicles for the governor’s office, including three bulletproof Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, two 2025 Toyota Prado SUVs and a Coaster bus. The approvals were announced on Wednesday after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Sokoto. The state Commissioner for Transport, Bala Kokani, said the council also approved N438 million for the direct purchase of six buses for the…
Author: Hamza Rufai
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THE National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has explained why former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, failed to join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking during a Hausa political programme on DITV Kaduna on Tuesday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Baba-Ahmed said talks between the PRP and both politicians collapsed after disagreements over conditions attached to their proposed entry into the party. According to him, although Obi and Kwankwaso approached the PRP for possible collaboration, negotiations later stalled after…
THE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has published the minimum UTME cut-off marks approved by universities nationwide for the 2026 admission cycle. News Point Nigeria reports that the benchmarks, submitted by individual institutions, were presented to journalists during the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions held in Abuja on Monday. Among the schools, Pan-Atlantic University set the highest minimum cut-off mark at 220. A number of leading universities, including Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, and Covenant University, pegged their minimum score at 200. In Lagos State, Lagos…
FORMER Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed outrage over the death of former House of Representatives member, Hon. Abba Anas Adamu, who was reportedly abducted by bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on May 3, 2026, and died in captivity nine days later on May 12 despite efforts by his family to secure his release. Atiku, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the incident as another grim reminder of what he called the worsening collapse of security under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “His death is yet…
FORMER Kano State Governor and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has said the death of former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua created the confusion surrounding Nigeria’s North-South power rotation arrangement. News Point Nigeria reports that Kwankwaso stated that giving the 2027 presidential ticket to the South remains the best way to resolve the lingering debate over zoning and regional power sharing. The former governor made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Monday while defending the decision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to zone its presidential ticket to the South ahead of the 2027…
THE Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has expressed confidence that Nigerians, particularly those from the northern region, will vote for President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027. Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday monitored by News Point Nigeria, Governor Sani said Tinubu has successfully stabilised the Nigerian economy since assuming office in 2023. The governor questioned what the opposition, who frequently criticise the president, could do differently, noting that they have yet to present any viable alternatives. “They will vote for him for two reasons. You see, most of those people opposing…
SUSPECTED terrorists operating around the Dansadau axis of Zamfara State have ambushed commuters travelling along the Magami-Dansadau road, killing an unspecified number of travellers and abducting several others. A resident of Magami, who pleaded for anonymity for security reasons, told News Point Nigeria that the incident occurred on Sunday between 4 and 5 pm when the attackers opened fire on vehicles travelling along the notorious route. According to him, so far, 10 dead bodies have been recovered. “As you are aware, the road from Magami to Dansadau requires the escort of security agents to safely lead commuters to their communities.…
THE Federal Government has intensified pressure on telecommunications operators to improve service quality across Nigeria, warning that subscribers must begin to experience better connectivity and value for money. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Sunday, said the government had already introduced major reforms to stabilise the telecom sector, stressing that operators must now address persistent network failures affecting millions of users. “It is now the responsibility of telecom operators such as MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom, and T2 to take all necessary steps to resolve network challenges and…
THE Federal Government has called on the World Bank to expedite the approval and disbursement of project funds to Nigeria, threatening to cancel any of the loans delayed beyond six months. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Bawa Mokwa, on Friday, noted that the Accountant-General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, appealed in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a World Bank delegation led by Manager of the World Bank Team, Treed Lane. He stressed that the facilities are loans that the country is…
THE Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has passed a vote of confidence in its chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma, and vice-chairman, Governor Uba Sani, reaffirming its support for their leadership amid rumours of internal divisions within the forum. News Point Nigeria reports that the endorsement was made during a closed-door meeting of APC governors in Abuja and was later reiterated during a press briefing. Governor Nasir Idris moved the motion expressing confidence in Uzodimma’s leadership, while Governor Uba Sani seconded it. Addressing journalists after the meeting, Idris dismissed speculations about Uzodimma’s alleged removal as PGF chairman, stating that the governors remained united…
THE Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed the Police Monitoring Unit to investigate allegations linking two senior police officers, CSP Hussaini Gimba and CSP Hassan Gimba, to the disappearance and alleged killing of Abubakar Idris. News Point Nigeria reports that the directive followed a series of petitions submitted on Friday by Kano-based activist and human rights lawyer, Abba Hikima. The petitions, seen by our reporter and addressed to the IGP, drew attention to claims made by Muhammad Musa Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant to the immediate past Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle. Kamarawa alleged that the officers…
THE Senate has reversed its recent amendment to the Standing Orders, effectively reopening the contest for key leadership positions in the 11th National Assembly and potentially creating room for fresh contenders in the race for Senate President in 2027. News Point Nigeria reports that the decision followed a motion sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who explained that the amendments made two days earlier to Section 2, Subsection 2, and Section 3, Subsection 1, could, upon further legislative and constitutional review, create constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions. With the reversal, all duly elected senators are now eligible to participate…
THREE members of the House of Representatives have defected from the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress in the latest wave of political realignments in the National Assembly. News Point Nigeria reports that the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read the notices of defection during Thursday’s plenary session. Among those who defected was Bello El-Rufai, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, who moved from the APC to the ADC. Also joining the ADC were Ajilo Shehu, representing Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, and Sulieman Richifa, representing Soba Federal Constituency, Kaduna. Both lawmakers…
FORMER Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is set to continue his trial before the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna over alleged corruption, money laundering and abuse of office, as the court has also granted him access to medical treatment while in custody. News Point Nigeria reports that El-Rufai is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga, on a 10-count charge bordering on alleged conversion and possession of proceeds of corruption, as well as money laundering contrary to the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Both defendants have pleaded…
FORMER Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Wednesday declared that only the Supreme Court can determine the fate of Muhammadu Sanusi II in the protracted Kano emirship dispute, insisting that any eventual ruling would be binding on all parties, including the Kano State Government. News Point Nigeria reports that Ganduje’s remarks came amid renewed controversy surrounding the Kano throne following conflicting claims and ongoing legal battles over the emirship tussle, which has continued to attract national attention as political and traditional stakeholders weigh in on the matter. The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress was reacting…
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s witness, Baba Bappa, on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he had no business dealings on any property with former Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi. Bappa, who is the 13th prosecution witness (PW-13), told Justice Emeka Nwite while being cross examined by the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, in the ongoing alleged money laundering trial against the ex-governor. The witness, who said he is an estate surveyor and facility manager, admitted that he only knew the former governor as a public figure, not in relation to the property transaction before…
PROCEEDINGS in the Senate were on Tuesday disrupted for over 15 minutes following a heated exchange between Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. News Point Nigeria reports that the incident began when Akpabio was reading the Votes and Proceedings from the previous legislative session. While the chamber considered a section relating to the South Africa debate, Oshiomhole raised a point of order. However, the Senate President overruled him, citing provisions of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended). Tension resurfaced when the Senate moved to a segment on recent amendments to the Senate Standing Rules, and…
THE Senate has resolved to constitute a joint ad hoc committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives to address the rising cases of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa. News Point Nigeria reports that the committee, to be led by the Chairman of the National Assembly, will undertake a fact-finding and diplomatic visit to South Africa aimed at finding lasting solutions to the crisis. As part of its mandate, the delegation is expected to visit the South African Parliament to formally express Nigeria’s strong displeasure over the reported attacks. The Senate also plans to write to the…
NO fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). News Point Nigeria reports that their defections were announced on the floor of the House during plenary on Tuesday. Also announced was the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike. Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy…
A FEDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has affirmed its jurisdiction to hear a suit challenging results transmitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the 2023 presidential election. News Point Nigeria reports that Justice Peter Kekemeke delivered the ruling while dismissing a preliminary objection filed by INEC in the suit marked CV/2910/2023, instituted by an eligible voter, Ephraim Okoye. In the suit, Okoye, through his counsel, James Onyemaechi, argued that INEC failed in its responsibility to conduct and electronically transmit the original results from his polling unit in accordance with the commission’s guidelines during the February…